Sri Sri Hathi Kheda Thakur — Attraction in Jharkhand

It is quite famous place of worship (specially for wish fulfilment). Devotees from nearby Odisha, West Bengal and local Jharkhand come here in huge numbers.

Some important things to note are

1- Roads approaching to this place are not in good condition. So keep in mind that it will take time to reach

2- I couldn't find a public toilet facility here. So if you're in need to use toilet, you have to go in open. (However if you want to take a bath, there is a pond at the back side)

3- The line of women are generally much longer that the line of men (separate entries for men and women). But still, the line moves quicker than expected. If i throw a random guess, i must say 1 minute per devotee is the waiting time there, which is extraordinary

All credit goes to the management persons

4- If you come here to make a wish (mannat), then you have to mention that to the shop while buying the prasad (coconut).

Remember that what ever your deal is, make it half. Example if you want to offer 10 coconuts if your wish fulfills, then say in your mind to give 5. Or in simple words, what ever you wish to give in mind, you actually have to give double.

Example 2 : if your capacity is to sacrifice one lamb, then say that you will give half a lamb while praying

(sorry to use the word 'deal' as i couldn't find a proper word)

5 - there are a lot of hay shacks which will cook for you upon payment. People generally buy the head of the sacrificed lamb and give it to the shack owner to cook meat for them. The shack will also sell cooked rice and salads for a complete lunch.

Remember that people also use alcohol along with meat in the shacks. So if you're bringing ladies along with you then be little conscious

However let me tell you that, even on alcohol usage, there is not any unpleasant scene here because people re cautious.

(I am writing this review based on my visit on 16 February 2020. The place is developing real fast. So it will be different along with the passing time)

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Originally a tribal (adivasi) shrine that now attracts all kinds of visitors. The shrine has many small and medium elephant figurines, originally likely to be a tribal totem. The surrounding hills are still a wild elephant sanctuary, and they sometimes descend in herds to human habitations and wreck havoc with the agricultural fields.

The place is well developed and organized now, with orderly queues, marbled floors and metal railings. It is also very neat and clean. The standard offering is a coconut tied in a strip of red muslin, that is tied to the trees in the premises by the devotees after the offering. Many people also bring lambs for sacrifice in adivasi tradition, for which there is a separate and secluded sacrifice shed outside public view.

There is a gender segregated bathing pool here, where one is supposed to take a dip before approaching the shrine but this isn't mandatory if one has already taken a bath. The other unique feature is the collection of myriad small and large brass bells all over the place, which are also offered by the devotees.

There is a big field outside that serves as the parking place, and this is also the space where there is a lively open air market (haat) on Sunday mornings with the freshest local produce on sale at great prices. This is also the place where one would come across a host of beggars who sit at the temple entrance all day, given that the affluent urban people now visit the place regularly.

As for the approach roads, they are good till a point and then resemble an off-road rally route. Visitors are advised to come on SUVs or at least cars with sufficient ground clearance, and be ready for a bumpy ride. In a way the ride is also a part of the charm of this uniquely...

Originally a tribal (adivasi) shrine that now attracts all kinds of visitors. The shrine has many small and medium elephant figurines, originally likely to be a tribal totem. The surrounding hills are still a wild elephant sanctuary, and they sometimes descend in herds to human habitations and wreck havoc with the agricultural fields.

The place is well developed and organized now, with orderly queues, marbled floors and metal railings. It is also very neat and clean. The standard offering is a coconut tied in a strip of red muslin, that is tied to the trees in the premises by the devotees after the offering. Many people also bring lambs for sacrifice in adivasi tradition, for which there is a separate and secluded sacrifice shed outside public view.

There is a gender segregated bathing pool here, where one is supposed to take a dip before approaching the shrine but this isn't mandatory if one has already taken a bath. The other unique feature is the collection of myriad small and large brass bells all over the place, which are also offered by the devotees.

There is a big field outside that serves as the parking place, and this is also the space where there is a lively open air market (haat) on Sunday mornings with the freshest local produce on sale at great prices. This is also the place where one would come across a host of beggars who sit at the temple entrance all day, given that the affluent urban people now visit the place regularly.

As for the approach roads, they are good till a point and then resemble an off-road rally route. Visitors are advised to come on SUVs or at least cars with sufficient ground clearance, and be ready for a bumpy ride. In a way the ride is also a part of the charm of this uniquely...